Rams exactly where they should be at this point

Credit: Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots
tackles Lance Kendricks #88 of the St. Louis Rams during the NFL International Series match between the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium on October 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

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ST. LOUIS (Football StL) -- When this season started I thought six wins would be a great starting point for this new era in Rams football. Halfway through the year they’re sitting at 3-5. Exactly on pace for 6-10.

It’s disappointing to some. Encouraging for others. I think they’re simply right on time.

Think about it. There is very little talent on this team. Aside from the defensive line, middle linebacker, cornerback, quarterback, one wide receiver and maybe another piece or two...there isn’t too much to build on.

Jeff Fisher is a terrific head coach who does a marvelous job of motivating, teaching and making the most out of what he’s got. And in this case, he doesn’t have much.

I’ve always thought it doesn’t matter how good of a coach you have, if you don’t have talent, you’re not going anywhere. Talent wins and talent loses. Vince Lombardi couldn’t take these recent Rams teams and win a Super Bowl.

The fact the Rams had the worst five year stretch in the history of the NFL (15-65) the last few years is a combination of having no talent and having poor coaching. It was the worst of both worlds.

Well, now, the talent pool isn’t all that much better. Sure, they brought in a few new draft picks (Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins, Greg Zuerlein, etc.) and a couple free agents (Cortland Finnegan, Kendal Langford). But overall, the talent hasn’t jumped that much between 2011 and 2012.

So why has this team already exceeded the total number of wins from a season ago? Simple answer. Coaching.

But why is this team still not competitive to the point where they are on pace for just six wins and got blown out 45-7 to the Patriots. Simple answer. Little talent.

Add it all up and you get a very mediocre team that is much further ahead of where it was just a year ago but still quite far away from being a championship contender.

If they keep adding quality draft picks in the future they can take that next step sooner rather than later. For right now, though, they are right on time.